Vintage Locking Spirit Tantalus, English, Two Decanter Stand, Hallmarked Silver

This is a vintage claret jug. An English, cut glass wine or spirit decanter, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980. Beautifully cut glass j...

This is a vintage spirit decanter. An English, cut glass and silver collared drinks vessel, dating to the mid 20th century, hallmarked to 1933. Striking, decorative glass to showcas...

This is a pair of vintage decanters. An English, cut glass spirit vessel with hallmarked silver labels, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. Attractive decanters with charm...

This is a pair of vintage tipple decanters. An English, glass and silver collared small spirit vessel, hallmarked to the early 20th century, dated 1928. Of petite form, perfect fo...

This is an antique tipple decanter. An English, glass and silver collared small spirit vessel, hallmarked to the early 20th century, dated 1922. Tactile and petite - a pleasingly ...

This is a vintage spirit Tantalus. A Danish, teak and glass bar caddy, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1960. Appealing Scandinavian craftsmanship, w...

Stylish early-20th century English Art Deco solid silver and glass large spirit decanter. Of particularly large size with glass body and mounted with elegant octagonal cut stopper. A...

Stylish early-20th century English Art Deco solid silver and glass large spirit decanter. Of particularly large size with glass body and mounted with elegant octagonal cut stopper. A...

Stylish early-20th century English Art Deco solid silver and glass large spirit decanter. Of large size with glass body and mounted with elegant octagonal cut stopper. Applied with a...

Stylish early-20th century English Art Deco solid silver and glass large spirit decanter. Of large size with glass body and mounted with elegant octagonal cut stopper. Applied with a...

20th Century English Art Deco silver & glass spirit decanter. Of large size with glass body and mounted with elegant ball shaped cut stopper. Applied with a silver collar and lock me...

The Decanter of slim tapered form with bulbous body, splayed circular foot with pinched stem and shaped opening. The Decanter extensively decorated throughout the body with two large fern leaves stemming from a central tied ribbon in the form of a bow. The decanter features a rounded handle fitted to the upper half of the decanter with a hinged shaped lid opening with gravity. To the base of the decanter an engraving reading “Jesse Collings. from I. Chamberlain.” Hallmarked to the neck AM (Alexander Macrae), Lion passant (sterling silver), Leopard Head town mark for London, Date letter R (1872) and the sovereign head duty mark. The Decanter is complete with its original latched fitted box lined in purple velvet with gold stringing to the exterior and the retailers mark to the inside doors “Widdowson & Veale, Goldsmith & Jewellery, to the Court of Spain, 73 Strand London.” Widdowson & Veale George Widdowson (b. 1804 Lincoln – Died 1872 Dulwich Village) was a celebrated silversmith and goldsmith although he took the route of retailer rather than a craftsman and by the age of 28 he had taken over his uncle’s London shop on the Strand, London. His uncle John Salter had been a close friend of Lord Nelson’s daughter, Horatia, and was godfather to one of her children. The shop was very successful and John Salter had supplied Nelson with many pieces of jewellery, including mourning rings. Widdowson developed the shop into Widdowson & Veale located at No. 73 Strand on the corner of Adam Street and opposite the Adelphi. Widdowson had a real eye for marketing. He once had a detailed newspaper article dedicated to his proposal to make a copy of Aeneas’ shield, as described in Virgil’s Aeneid. There is no evidence the shield was ever made though it did get good publicity. The company made swords and other weapons for the British army and navy, orders and decorations for the British court and were goldsmiths and jewellers to the court of Spain. In 1842 on the christening of Queen Victoria’s eldest son (later King Edward VII), Widdowson’s eye for publicity meant that the firm gave a christening gift of ‘an immense silver coronet supporting the Prince of Wales feathers.’ Widdowson & Veale were also makers to HRH the Duke of Sussex and the Court of Spain. In 1844, George was 40 and his business was doing well, as was the economy as a whole. The firm were able to advertise for apprentices, asking for a premium of £100. On 11 February 1847 George married Eliza Duffield (nee Boville), the daughter of a Putney wine merchant who had been living in Gibraltar but returned when her first husband, John Duffield, died. George and Eliza were middle-aged when they married and did not have children. Alexander Macrae founder of the firm that went on to be C J Vander Ltd. Macrae was recorded at 32 Bow Street, Covent Garden, London September 1856. He was joined in partnership by Martin Goldstein c. 1870, whereupon the style of the firm was changed to Macrae & Goldstein – first listed in 1871 as a silversmith. Alexander Macrae supplied many of the great firms at that time such as Elkington, Harry Emanuel...